Hospital stay from hell

[Granbonny]

I know, Nancy remembers..because she responded to my thread.. of last year..when my S/I/L had 2 botched hernia operations in the spring..and then in august..had such pain..Was put in hospital on a Friday..NO food, until Monday....after many tests decided it was his appendix..Removed..and he still had much pain..Made the first trip to Russia for children's paperwork..Came home in Jan. ..in so much pain..went back into same hospital, doctor's ect..After 4 days of testing..Guess what..they found he still had his appendix. the day they found that..Had 7 doctors in room...Previous, PCP's, techs, surgeons, ect..All trying to save their butts from a lawsuit.. They then, removed his appendix..and in 45 minutes he was up and feeling great..Was able to go back to Russia and bring children home...His Mom worked for the hospital Insurance dept..and was able to clear most of the bills away....for 2nd appendix operation...But, what would have happened if he were not able to return to Russia for children%%%3?BOTH..parents must be there for court. and it was March 15th..thank goodness, everything worked out.. On another note, I stayed with S/I/L much of time..so daughter could work..Noticed the cafeteria was always full..of Nurses, doctors, techs, ect..eating lunch and laughing..I Know we have many Nurses on VR.Com..Please, I'm not knocking yall.. but, when my S/I/L was denied food for 2 days..saying..we have no orders for you to eat, ect..just made me so mad..Bonnie

 

[Granbonny]

I guess, I'm so mad..I posted 2 times.. Bonnie

 

[Nancy]

Yay! He's coming home tomorrow morning. I feel like I'm getting him out of jail.

Somehow it doesn't feel much like the kind, caring and patient centered care that we see in all the hospital TV ads and newspaper ads, with smiling, loving looking staff. Those are sort of a sham.

Fortunately, the doctoring is top shelf. They were there all day long and even into the evening. They were there each day on the weekends. And they did all the right things and got him well, in spite of all the nasty accommodations. And they really did care. Good guys, all of them.

One of them even examined Joe while one of the violent patients was doing his thing.

I'm worn out, but glad he made it through this. He's a toughie.

 

[Phyllis]

Yippee!- Glad he's coming home. I hope you sleep well tonight, Nancy.

 

[hensylee]

I wrote to the owner of our hospital after brother's last hospitalization because they didn't have his medicine in their pharmacy. I suggested they could go 2 miles away to WalMart to get a rx filled. Added a few other matters that needed taking care of. I got a letter back from the owner - he had an 'investigation' with nursing chief, hosp administrator, etc. All denied my accusations - said we were sposed to bring his med from nursing home. Got nowhere. He was protecting his hospital and staff. But his letter to me would not have stood up in any court. If a dr orders med, hospital's sposed to have/get it. Besides, nobody told me or I would have gotten the med and taken it there. I didn't even know he was doing without it.

Second, we called our local hosp (same one - same owner) to ask if they could fix a broken leg of our cousin who had just broken his. Was told 'can't give you any medical advice'. I said I didn't ask for any, just want to know if you have facilities to fix a broken leg - answer? "I can't give you medical advice". We wrote to the newspaper - it made a splash. The owner was livid.

Nancy, I suggest you compose your problems with the hospital, send it to the newspaper with a copy to your state senator. A teaching hospital uses govt funds - but then, we know how the govt is these days. It might make somebody at least aware of what their family member may run into on admission to this hospital

This is grievous! A fair example of what goes on in our hospitals today, however.

I am happy Joe is so much better and will be home shortly. Glad you are on the case and watching so carefully. Blessins......

 

[PJmomrunner]

Hooray! Now he can go home and recover from the hospital!

 

[Mary]

Nancy,
I'm glad you're getting Joe out of there!

 

[Abbanabba]

Nancy, I could not believe your post!! I know nurses are overworked and understaffed, but surely patients deserve better than this!!

I'm with everyone else. Write to the CEO and tell them what you and Joe have had to put up with. While you're at it, perhaps they can clarify exactly WHO is responsible for WHAT! (..and then maybe they can let their staff know!..).

I would also write to your local media and, as Anne suggested, to your local member of government. It's also worth writing to those parties who aren't currently in office - nothing like a bit of campaign fodder to get things moving!

I really hope Joe's experience was the exception to the rule.... but that might be a little optomistic.

Meanwhile, I hope he is doing much better and is reaping the benefits of your expert care back at home.

Best wishes to you both,
Anna : )

 

[cocoalab]

Nancy I am so shocked at the care, or lack of that Joe received at the hospital. I am so glad he is able to get home and recover. We all know sleeping in the hospital in the best of circumstances is near impossible (what is with 4 am x-rays?) but that was ridiculous. Please do make your complaints heard. Maybe it can help the next patient from such an experience.


I AM SO HAPPY he is recovering. I was worried!

 

[Christina L]

Nancy,

Nancy,

Sorry to hear about the poor care while Joe was in the hospital. I am just glad he will be getting home (is home now?) - he will start to improve immensely once he is out of the hospital and is in your TLC again. I really liken Joe to the "energizer bunny" - he is an inspiration and one tough guy - but he is very blessed to have you for his wife. You are quite the team.

Christina L.